This year the Gainey family celebrates their 42nd year of farming and ranching in Santa Barbara County. Since the beginning, it has always been the land and its potential that has guided the family. In 1962, Dan C. and his son Dan J. Gainey purchased an 1800 acre ranch on the eastern end of the Santa Ynez Valley. With over 1000 acres of rangeland devoted to cattle, 600 acres of farmland, 100 acres of Arabian horses facilities and 100 acres of vineyards, the Gainey Ranch was and still is the largest diversified farming operation in the valley.

     In the early 1980’s, Dan J. and his son Dan H. became convinced that the unique geographical and climatical conditions of the area gave it the potential to produce world class wines. They planted 50 acres in 1983 and opened their Spanish style winery in 1984. The winery quickly became one of the most popular wineries to visit in the area and was named as “one of the best wineries to visit on California’s Central Coast” by Wine Spectator magazine.

     Dan J. and Dan H. Gainey have always understood the primacy of the vineyard in making wine and have gone to great lengths to explore the diverse micro-climates available to them in the Santa Ynez Valley. In the 1990’s, the family purchased and planted a 120 acre parcel along Santa Rosa Road in what would later become the Santa Rita Hills AVA. The Gainey Vineyard thus became the first winery to own properties in both the warm, eastern end of the valley, where the family concentrates on Bordeaux varieties, and the cool, western end of the valley, where they have planted Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Syrah. This unique advantage allows the Gaineys to completely control all phases of their winegrowing: from planting of vines ideally suited to each of their vineyard sites, to viticultural techniques that emphasize low yields, to winemaking that stresses minimal processing.

     High quality and long term consistency of fruit are two principles that guide all farming decisions. Dan Gainey, Vineyard Manager Jeff Newton and Winemaker Kirby Anderson work closely to constantly strive to improve their fruit. By controlling all aspects of grape growing, Gainey Vineyard is able to ensure that quality takes priority over farming economics. The result are vines low in vigor that produce small yields and fruit with great concentration and complexity.

     The goal of Gainey Vineyard’s winemaking program is to create wines of uncompromising quality with optimum flavor and aromatic components that reflect the unique characteristics of the vineyards from which they come. Toward that end, the Gaineys have recently constructed a new gravity flow winemaking facility. Grapes processed here are handled in the most gentle manner possible and then fermented and aged in one of five temperature and humidity controlled rooms.

“We consider our vineyards and the wines we make from them an expression of the love we have for our land and this beautiful area of California.” – Dan H. Gainey

     The Gainey Vineyard produces 18,000 cases annually. Our collection of "Limited Selection" bottlings have received rave reviews from critics and consumers alike. In addition to producing premium wines, we also pride ourselves on our attention to guests. Our Tasting Room is open for tours and tastings daily and we encourage guests to enjoy Gainey wines in our scenic picnic area. We also have an extensive program of annual events, including outdoor summer concerts, winemaker dinners, cooking classes and our annual Crush Party. We invite you to join us in the beautiful Santa Ynez Valley.